Step One: Remove the Write Protect ScrewĬhromebooks have a special hardware feature that prevents you from modifying the BIOS. We’ll provide help by walking you through the process of installing Windows on an Acer C910 Chromebook, codename YUNA. The process will be similar on other models of Chromebook, but some things-like the location of the write protect screw on the motherboard-will be different. However, that website’s instructions could be more detailed, so you’ll probably find some information in this guide that isn’t present elsewhere. We recommend following an installation guide like the ones on the Coolstar Installation Helper site to ensure you’re setting things up properly for your specific model of hardware. If your Chromebook can be made to support Windows, congratulations.
If you want to find more information about whether a Chromebook or specific hardware component can be made to support Windows, this is a good place to search.
If you’re lucky, you’ll find third-party drivers that were hacked together to give Windows support for these components. Windows doesn’t ship with hardware drivers for various pieces of hardware, like the touchpads incorporated into many Chromebooks (which makes sense, since Chromebook manufacturers never bothered creating Windows drivers for these components).
And you’ll need a PC running Windows to create the USB installation media for your Chromebook.Įven after you install Windows, you won’t be out of the woods. You’ll need some additional hardware as well. You’ll need a USB keyboard and mouse just to install Windows, because your Chromebook’s built-in keyboard and mouse won’t work in the installer. The replacement BIOS can only be installed on Chromebook models that it supports, so you can’t do this on every model of Chromebook. This will allow you to boot and install Windows.
To do this, you’ll have to install a replacement BIOS for your Chromebook (technically it’s a UEFI firmware, which is the modern replacement to the traditional BIOS).
We’ll say it again: this isn’t officially supported.